They went up - and up - and up.

And they were still going up.

And finally Susie pulled on dad's coat to ask, "Daddy, does God know we're coming?"

I've been thinking lately about what God knows.

Have you ever prayed and had the prayer answered immediately?

I did once. I asked a question of God about something that had troubled me. And immediately an answer came with such grace and power that I was shaken by it, and moved to tears.

There were no words from God, but immediate insight, as if for a moment a door to heaven was thrown open and I was allowed in.

I suspect that much of my preaching is an effort to put into words the answer I received in that moment.

But what I emphasize here is how quickly that answer came.

God knew my thoughts - heard my prayer - and responded as one would who was right there with me.

I have had other experiences that remind me that God knows my thoughts - and yours, too.

I recently told a congregation "Someone is watching you. Someone is seeing every move, detecting every turn of your mind and heart. And Someone is loving you - not from a distance - but close by."

The apostle Paul told us that in God "we live, and move, and have our being."

The old song asks for "just a closer walk with Thee." But we have that already. God is closer to us than our own heartbeat.

What we need is awareness of God's presence. So I remind you - Someone is loving you - close by.

Stop from time to time - and feel God's love.